The Notional-Functional Syllabus

A notional-functional syllabus is a syllabus organized according to notions and

functions instead of grammatical structures.

“Basically, a notional syllabus aims to organize language teaching in terms of the

purposes of communication. Its foundation is a system of notional categories and the
determination of forms of language appropriate for the expression of the purposes of
communication.” David Wilkins 1976
Towards the end of the 1970s, new kinds of course books appeared that were
based on functional syllabuses.

These books were organized according to different language functions, like

offering or making requests, and the specific words and phrases (exponents)
needed to express those functions.

For example, a beginner’s course might start with the function of introducing
oneself, offering or making requests. It would cover common exponents like
“Would you like…?” and “Could you…?”. These concepts are typically
practiced through communicative exercises like role-playing, pair work, and
group work.

This approach is quite different from traditional grammatical syllabuses. In a

grammatical syllabus, more complex structures like those using the word
“would” might be saved for later stages, while in a functional syllabus, “would”
or “could” may appear quite early on because of their importance in common
exponents like “Would you like…?”.

In this approach, it’s not considered crucial to apply a specific grammatical

category or name to each structure, as the focus is on teaching students to
communicate effectively in real-world situations.
 Characteristics of The Notional-Functional Approach

The Functional-Notional Approach is characterized by several key features,

including:

 Needs analysis: Teaching is based on an initial learners’ needs analysis.

 Emphasis on Functions and Notions: The approach places a strong
emphasis on the functions or purposes of language. Examples include making
requests, giving advice, or expressing opinions. A focus on the notions or
concepts that underlie them, such as time, space, and relationships is also
emphasized.
 Teaching Language in Context: Language is taught in context, using
authentic materials and real-life situations. Examples include ordering food in
a restaurant, buying tickets at a train station, or making a phone call.
 Using Authentic Materials: Authentic materials, such as newspaper articles,
advertisements, and videos, are used to expose learners to the target
language in authentic and meaningful contexts.
 Emphasizing Communication Over Grammar: Communication is
emphasized over grammar, with a focus on using language to achieve a
specific goal. It is a shift away from the dry rules of grammar.
 Learner Autonomy: The approach promotes learner autonomy. Learners are
encouraged to set goals. They take responsibility for their learning.
 Cultural Awareness: The approach fosters cultural awareness, as learners
are exposed to different cultures and ways of thinking through authentic
materials.
 Assessing communication: Assessment is based on the ability to
appropriately communicate.
 Functional Notional Approach Activities

Here are some examples of activities that can be used in the Functional-
Notional Approach:

 Role-Play Activities: Role-play activities provide learners with the opportunity

to practice using language in real-life situations. For example, learners can act
out a dialogue in which they make a hotel reservation or order food in a
restaurant.
 Information-Gap Activities: Information-gap activities require learners to
exchange information in order to complete a task, such as filling out a form or
planning a trip. This type of activity helps learners develop their ability to
communicate clearly and effectively.
 Problem-Solving Activities: Problem-solving activities require learners to
work together to solve a problem or complete a task, such as building a
structure with limited materials or planning a budget. This type of activity helps
learners develop their ability to collaborate and negotiate in English.
 Discussion Activities: Discussion activities provide learners with the
opportunity to share their opinions and ideas on a variety of topics, such as
current events or cultural differences. This type of activity helps learners
develop their ability to express themselves clearly and effectively in English.
 Project-Based Learning Activities: Project-based learning activities involve
learners in a longer-term project, such as creating a podcast or organizing a
charity event. This type of activity helps learners develop their ability to plan,
research, and present information in English.
 Listening and Speaking Activities: Listening and speaking activities can
involve listening to and responding to a variety of English language materials,
such as podcasts, news broadcasts, and interviews. These activities help
learners develop their ability to understand and communicate in English.
 Advantages and Disadvantages

of The Functional-Notional Approach

Advantages of The Functional-Notional Approach:

 Develops Communicative Competence: The Functional-Notional Approach

places a strong emphasis on the functional and communicative aspects of
language. It thus helps learners develop their ability to use language
effectively and appropriately in different situations.
 Promotes Learner Autonomy: The approach encourages learners to take
responsibility for their own learning and set their own goals. This promotes
learner autonomy and self-directed learning.
 Fosters Cultural Awareness: The use of authentic materials in the
Functional-Notional Approach exposes learners to different cultures and ways
of thinking, which fosters cultural awareness and sensitivity.
 Uses Real-Life Situations: Language is taught in context, using real-life
situations and authentic materials, which makes learning more engaging and
meaningful for learners.
 Emphasizes Communication Over Grammar: The approach prioritizes
communication over grammar, which helps learners focus on using language
to achieve a specific goal, rather than on memorizing grammar rules.

Disadvantages Of The Functional-Notional Approach:

 Lack of Focus on Grammar: The emphasis on communication over

grammar in the Functional-Notional approach may lead to a lack of focus on
grammar. This may be problematic for some learners who need a more
structured approach to grammar learning.
 Difficulty in Assessing Learning: Assessing learners’ progress in the
Functional-Notional Approach may be difficult, as the focus is on functional
and communicative competence, rather than on discrete language skills.
 Limited Applicability to Specific Language Needs: The Functional-Notional
Approach may not be suitable for learners who have specific language needs,
 such as those preparing for academic or professional contexts that require a
more formal or technical use of language.
 Lack of Emphasis on Writing Skills: The emphasis on spoken
communication in the Functional-Notional approach may lead to a lack of
emphasis on writing skills, which may be problematic for learners who need to
develop their written communication skills.
 Dependency on Authentic Materials: The use of authentic materials in the
Functional-Notional Approach may be limited by availability or
appropriateness, which may limit the effectiveness of the approach for some
learners.
Conclusion

The Notional-Functional approach is a communicative approach to language

teaching that emphasizes the practical applications of language in real-life
situations. It takes into account the learner’s needs and encourages learner
autonomy. By focusing on functions and notions rather than just grammatical
structures, the approach helps learners communicate effectively in a second
language.